Big East Road Win!

Mazzulla's play- not too shabby.

After the 38-38 tie, it was nice to see the Mountaineers take control of this one so decisively.

Current Bracketology From ESPN WVU 9th seed in East

I realize that this means nothing right now. I also realize that the focus for the team needs to be on South Florida today. With that said however, I would like to point out that we are currently being listed as a ninth seed coming out of the East. Were that to happen, WVU would be playing ironically enough Kansas State in the round of 64. :0) How do you like those apples?

DaGeek

I wanted to just move on, but...

First of all, I would like to express that I am pleased that those of us in this blog haven't beat the horse to death regarding the feud between WVU and Rodriguez. The latest attack however is very concerning to me. I wondered in the days following the Fiesta Bowl why Coach Magee wasn't considered for the position. The explanation that he committed to UM too quickly seems somewhat plausible, but I'm still not sure. Allegations of discrimination are very serious, especially when you hire a coach who was previously dismissed due to a controversy surrounding race. I hope that WVU can somehow quash these allegations but I suspect that because they don't appear squeaky clean with regards to the hiring process, there will always be doubts.

Reynaud?

I see his name is not listed in the poll, but The Blue Gold News is reporting that Reynaud has decided to fore go his final year of eligibility for the NFL. They refer to it as if it is old news, but I hadn't seen it on here or heard of it anywhere until this weekend. I'm a little surprised by the decision. I wouldn't have thought that Reynaud as being projected high enough to warrant coming out early. Though I'm sure he will improve his draft status tremendously at the combine and workouts. It still seems as though coming back would have been a wiser decision. With an inexperienced tailback and a new coaching staff, I would have expected Darius to receive a significant increase in touches and scoring opportunities next year. I wish him the best in his future as he was and is one of my favorite players to watch and I believe that whomever is lucky enough to acquire him in the NFL will be getting a much greater impact player than will be anticipated.

I have since found the press release:

1/10/08 - Receiver Darius Reynaud will skip his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. "He's going to go into the draft," his mother, Katrina, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Wednesday night. Reynaud could not be reached Wednesday and did not return messages left at his home in Luling, La., earlier in the week. WVU Coach Bill Stewart was also unavailable for comment. Reynaud's decision can't be a surprise, though. He'll graduate in May and subsequently earn back the year of eligibility he lost in 2004-05 when he sat out as an academic prop, but he submitted papers to the NFL's draft advisory committee last year. He returned to school, but the goal remained in play throughout this season. Reynaud has been engaged for more than a year to his longtime girlfriend and they have a two-year-old daughter. He submitted his paperwork to be evaluated by the advisory committee again last month. "I have to feed my daughter," he said last month. "Every time I step on the field, that's my motivation." - Mike Casazza, Daily Mail

Owen Schmitt to play in Senior Bowl. January 26,2007

Way to go Owen. Not that anybody on this web site had any doubts. We love you and wish you the best in this camp, this game, and in you NFL career. The official press release from the Senior Bowl is below:

"West Virginia's Schmitt To Play In Under Armour Senior Bowl
Hard-nosed Mountaineer legend who has broken ten facemasks during his career, will display outstanding running, pass catching and blocking skills in North team backfield during January 26 contest.

MOBILE, Ala. (January 16, 2008) -- The North team backfield in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl will feature one of the nation’s most intriguing NFL draft prospects at running back – West Virginia’s Owen Schmitt – bowl officials announced on Thursday.
Schmitt developed into a Mountaineer legend during his storied career, known as much for his outstanding blocking, pass catching and running skills for West Virginia’s high-powered offense, as for his hard-nosed play which resulted in his breaking of ten facemasks during his career.
A former walk-on who transferred to West Virginia from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Schmitt started 21 games for the Mountaineers – ten at tailback, seven at fullback and four at tight end – during his career.
West Virginia running backOwen Schmitt
A respected team leader who was named a permanent captain, he rushed for 272 yards and four TD’s in 2007, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and caught 12 passes for 121 yards and another score.
The 6-3, 260-pounder from Fairfax, Va., collected 64 yards on just three carries in West Virginia’s Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma, including a career-high 57-yarder for a touchdown.
A warrior in the weight room, he put up unbelievable numbers including a 525- pound hang clean and a 640-pound squat.
As a junior in 2006, he rushed for 351 yards and seven TD’s, topped by a 109-yard rushing performance against Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl, and finished his West Virginia career with 1,003 yards rushing, 13 TD’s, and caught 32 passes for 288 yards and two more scores.
A excellent student who has already graduated with his bachelor’s degree, he was also a second-team All-Big East selection as an all-purpose back this season." (Official Press release from Seniorbowl.com)

Weeklong HD Coverage Of 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl January 21-26 Exclusively On NFL Network
2008 COLLEGIATE ALL-STAR GAME FROM MOBILE, AL LIVE AT 4:00 PM ET SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
NFL Network’s exclusive high-definition coverage of the league’s next generation of talent begins Monday, January 21 at 4:00 PM ET from Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL with the Under Armour Senior Bowl and the week-long events leading up to Saturday’s game.

Monday, Jan. 214:00 ET – Day 1: North Team Practice (HD)8:00 ET – Day 1: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD)
Tuesday, Jan. 2210:30 ET – Day 2: North Team Practice (HD)4:30 ET ­– Day 2: South Team Practice (HD)8:00 ET – Day 2: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD)
Wednesday, Jan. 2310:30 ET – Day 3: North Team Practice (HD)4:30 ET ­– Day 3: South Team Practice (HD)8:00 ET – Day 3: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD)
Thursday, Jan. 2410:30 ET – Day 4: North Team Practice (HD)4:30 ET ­– Day 4: South Team Practice (HD)8:00 ET – Day 4: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD)
Saturday, Jan. 253:30 ET – NFL Total Access Senior Bowl Pregame Show (HD)4:00 ET – 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl (HD)7:00 ET – NFL Total Access Senior Bowl Postgame Show (HD)

Dykes in East West Shrine game tonight at 7 on ESPN 2.

Keilen Dykes is in Houston preparing to play for the East team in the East-West Shrine Game Saturday with other all-star seniors from around the country. The 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2) is a great place to showcase his talents one more time. I for one will miss him. I have a personal fondness for this game because it is one that is all about charity. I am very proud of our representative and know that he will do his school proud. What I really like about this player is that he lets his game do his talking. I think though a bit undersized his heart and work ethic have proven him to be of NFL caliber. I was glad to learn that he has said that he is encouraged by the potential of the 08 squad. The team will sorely miss his leadership and his interior dominance. He and Dingle are going to be big shoes (and bodies) to fill.

Photo from Rivals.Com.

DaGeek

Blog's Final Poll for football season.

1. LSU 97 (3)
2. Georgia 93
3. TIE WVU(1) / Kansas/USC 90
6. Missouri 89
7. tOSU 76
8. OU 65
9. BC 63
10. Cincinnati 61
11. Texas 60
12. VPI 59
13. Tenn 53
14. ASU 48
15. Auburn 43
16. BYU 36
17. Illinois 34
18. Oregon 26
19. Michigan 24
20. Hawaii 20
21. Oregon State 15
22. TIE: Wake/Tulsa 14
24. TIE: Texas Tech/ Clemson 7

Others receiving votes: Rutgers 5, California 4, Penn State 3, U Conn 2, East Carolina/ UVA 1

Fighting Through The Storm

WVU certainly wasn't impressive last night but gained another important win in conference play. One more week and the schedule gets significantly more difficult w/ upcoming contests against Georgetown, Pitt and Providence who appears to be playing well. The interior play again was not very good as St. Johns continually had uncontested layups and dunks. Some of these plays were on "broken" sequences where there was a loose ball, but players are still able to sneak down low uncovered way too frequently. And we were significantly out rebounded again. There were definitely a couple encouraging signs as well however. Seven turnovers in a game is impressive no matter who you're playing. Also, Flowers played quite well off the bench. And Butler showed how valuable he can be when he isn't plagued with foul trouble. When he gets minutes, he looks every bit as dangerous as Alexander can be. It was a good thing too, since Ruoff was unable to find his shot and Alexander was just wasting space on the court. I know I sound harsh, but let's be honest about things. This team only has one good win so far (Marquette, who may not be as good as people thought anyway) and the road ahead does not get easier.

Photos from Rivals.Com

New staff

As Coach Stew continues to put his staff together, one thing stands out above all else. He's hiring recruiters! Every announcement made has added a strong recruiter in another Geographic area. Some might see Don Nehlen light, but you must also remember the talent that Nehlen's staff was able to assemble. 11 players drafted in 1998! Doc Holiday is a BIG GUN in south Florida. And apparnetly Beatty is strong in the Virginia Tidewater area which is turning into the new south Florida area. Dunlap has recruited many in Western PA and Eastern Ohio. Stewart himself has recruited Maryland and DC very well. I think Stewart has proven he will stay out of the way of his coordinaters on gameday. A strong OC and we may all be pleasantly surprised!!

Super Steve has now said he is off to NFL.

Well to say I am sad is an understatement. But I also want to wish him all the best. He has given me some outstanding memories.

A personal thank you to Steve: Thanks for being a class act and thanks for getting the job done. Your performance in the Sugar Bowl will never be forgotten. It has been a very special time for each of your mountaineer family to have watched you perform Steve. You and your family has blessed this university for the entire time you have been here. I for one will be following your career in the NFL.

DaGeek